NEW HAMPSHIRE PROVIDING NEW GETAWAY OPTIONS FOR VISITORS IN 2014

CONCORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE – January 6, 2014 – Visitors to New Hampshire (www.visitnh.gov) can “Live Free” and explore new vacation getaway options for 2014. From a new restaurant that embodies the state’s local movement to a new museum that offers a rare glimpse of what it’s like to experience the most extreme winter weather conditions in the middle of summer, a sampling of what’s new for 2014 in New Hampshire includes:

Home to nearly 250 years of New Hampshire and nearby Dartmouth College history, the cozy 108-room Hanover Inn at Dartmouth just finished a comprehensive renovation in three phases that included guest room makeovers and redesigned public spaces as well as opening the casual, full-service, farm-to-table based PineRestaurant. The hotel also added additional meeting and banquet space in the Hayward Ballroom and made improvements to the now 3,933 sq. ft. state of the art Minary Conference Center.

This winter, Loon Mountain Resort is building an Ice Castle an acre in size, with walls of ice reaching up to 40 feet high. The brainchild of Utah-based artist Brent Christensen, this Ice Castle is created from nothing more than a vast sprinkler system yielding a latticework of icicles. The Ice Castle at Loon Mountain will open to the public soon, and remain open through mid-March, depending on weather and conditions. Tickets will be $10 per person, with group rates available. The Ice Castle will also be available for private rental and photo shoots.

The New Hampshire Division of Travel & Tourism Development (DTTD) is helping female travelers channel their inner “adventure glamour girl” with two new suggested group itineraries provided on the state’s visitor website:

- New Hampshire Bubbles & Bubbles itinerary features activities such as fine-dining, guest storytellers, wine and paint sessions, crystal cutting and yoga. Upcoming curriculum-based itineraries for student tours are currently under development and will also be available in 2014.

In the spring of 2014, New Hampshire’s most visited museum will be completely reborn as "Extreme Mount Washington." Stripped down to the studs andentirely re-imagined, the new, interactive experience will deliver the awe and wonder of a Mount Washington winter— which only a small handful of thepeak's 250,000 annual visitors ever get to witness. Through hands-on, high-tech exhibits, Mount Washington Observatory will present a compelling sampling ofthe "World's Worst Weather" to summer visitors from all over the world.

The Squam Lakes Natural Science Center is adding a special coyote exhibit that will house live adult male coyotes. The exhibit will be part of the ¾ mile live animal exhibit trail, featuring bobcats, red and gray fox, mountain lions, white-tailed deer, river otters, black bears, owls, hawks and eagles. The exhibit is currently under construction and will be open in the spring of 2014. The Coyote Exhibit, along with the new energy choices exhibit, will be part of regular trail admission: $15 for adults; $12 for seniors (age 65+); $10 for youth (ages 3 to 15) and free for children ages two and under. Members also receive free admission.

A large transformation is underway at the Top Notch Inn, as a “rundown” 1940's crafts style bungalow on the property is being restored into an environmentally-conscience five-bedroom rental that will be known as the Mt Moriah Cottage. The cottage will sleep up to 10 people and feature New Hampshire granite for countertops as well as Gorham-area restored furniture and antiques. Upon its completion and opening, rates will vary depending on the day of the week and time of the year.

The Division of Travel and Tourism Development, as part of the New Hampshire Department of Resources and Economic Development, works with the state’s seven travel regions to increase visitation, travel and visitor expenditures in order to expand business activity and employment throughout the state. The division is responsible for domestic and international advertising and public relations, literature publication and distribution, www.visitnh.gov administration, grant administration and research to monitor and measure the impact of travel and tourism to the state. For more information about New Hampshire tourism, call 603-271-2665 or visit www.visitnh.gov.